Page 17 of Obligation and Redemption

Lydia jumped into the conversation certain that Elizabeth was correct in her assumption, “We have such news, Lizzy! The militia has arrived and will be stationed in Meryton for the whole of winter. Is that not grand?”

This distraction was sufficient to divert her mother for a few moments’ time, as she also was quite enamoured of the idea herself; nevertheless, when she realised Elizabeth had not actually answered her question, she returned to the topic.

“Lizzy, I see that you wish to be sly, but I insist on your telling me everything. How long have you and Mr. Darcy been partial to one another? Last I knew, he found you barely tolerable, and you found him most severe. I knew you did not have your father’s wit for nothing.

You must have found a way to draw him in. ”

“Mama! I did no such thing! I am sure I know nothing of which you speak.” Elizabeth then turned to her father, eyes wide, and said, “Papa, you told her where you found me, did you not?”

“Of course, my dear. I found you at the folly, quite chilled too. It was a good thing I came upon you when I did, or you may have had far worse than your trifling cold, which has had you in bed these six days.”

Looking at Mr. Bennet, her mother said, “I am not talking about what you told me, but about what Lizzy told me.”

Everyone’s eyes were then set upon Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy has not changed his opinion of me, as far as I am aware. Mary, could you pass the rolls, please. I am famished.”

“Oh, no, Lizzy, you will not change the subject again. I entreat you to tell me what happened.”

“Mrs. Bennet, you will refrain from your inquisition. I have told you all there is to tell, now let Elizabeth eat her breakfast in peace. Mary, now pass your sister the rolls. Would you like anything else, Lizzy? Perhaps some butter or preserves?” Jane sat beside Elizabeth and prepared her sister’s tea according to her preferences while Elizabeth made ready her food.

After a few moments of silence, Lydia, wanting to return to the previous subject of officers continued, “We will have such a time. Aunt Philips says she is to invite the soldiers to her home, so we may meet more of them! They are ever so handsome and obliging! I have never seen so many men in redcoats.”

Mary decided to make her contribution. “A woman cannot be too careful at protecting her reputation; her good name and that of her family could so easily be lost forever.” Elizabeth was accustomed to hearing her sister verbalise such platitudes directed at her younger sisters, but was surprised when she noticed that, with apparent condescension, Mary was looking directly at her.

Elizabeth glanced around the table curious to see if she were missing something of some importance.

Jane had her head down, hands in her lap diligently smoothing out her serviette.

Lydia and Kitty were in conference, giggling.

Mr. William Collins, a distant cousin to Mr. Bennet, sat to Mary’s left.

He had been in residence with the Bennets going on a fortnight now and was to inherit the Longbourn estate upon the death of Mr. Bennet due to an entail that had originated two generations previously.

He would be able to evict the Bennet ladies from their home, at his leisure, without recourse, if he so chose, upon Mr. Bennet’s future demise.

Be that as it may, he had come to make amends in a way that would join his happiness with their salvation.

He had heard about the great beauty residing at Longbourn, and knowing that his future inheritance would work highly in his favour, set out to capture the hand of one of his fair cousins.

His patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, encouraged him to find a wife, so he had meant to do so as efficiently and conveniently as may be.

Upon first entering Longbourn, he had determined that Jane Bennet, the eldest and most beautiful of the five sisters, was to be the joy of his future life, as would be her due as firstborn, but Mrs. Bennet quickly directed him away from thoughts of her eldest daughter, as she had greater things in mind for Jane and would not sacrifice her splendour on such a man.

Mrs. Bennet had encouraged him, therefore, to seek an attachment with Elizabeth, who was next to Jane in both age and beauty.

Yet Elizabeth had chosen to ignore his partiality and had perhaps somewhat innocently supposed that by ignoring Mr. Collins, he might take the hint and leave her to herself.

However, Elizabeth soon learnt that she had misjudged his discernment.

His attentions to her had grown while at Longbourn up until the day before the storm.

Like her father, she could enjoy the ridiculous, but it had become more than she could bear, so she had endeavoured to redirect his allegiance.

Elizabeth had been engaged in reading her newly acquired novel, when Mr. Collins came upon her in the sitting room.

He had much to say on the inappropriateness of reading novels written by women to inspire romantic notions.

Elizabeth told him that Mary, her sister next in age, had shared this view with her many times, but that she could not abide by such inclinations.

She then took that opportunity to acquaint him with Mary’s pious character and hidden appeal.

Elizabeth had seen how Mary admired Mr. Collins and could make him an agreeable, if not ardent, wife.

Mary would give him the deference he obviously longed for, but knew not how to earn, and Mr. Collins would have a wife who considered piety above pleasure and would support with diligence his office of rector.

Mary also adhered to Mr. Collins’s views on rank and would confer to Lady Catherine all of the deference which the noble lady required.

Elizabeth knew that she herself could not make Mr. Collins happy, so had encouraged him to image the same.

Although Mary’s look was simple and unadorned, improvement would come by simply wearing a becoming colour and rearranging her hair.

Mary had readily agreed to Elizabeth’s encouragement because, proud though she was, she was also desirous to catch Mr. Collins for herself, for she singularly found him to her liking.

When Mr. Collins gazed upon Mary with a new understanding of her character, which he had to that point ignored, and with a new appreciation of her attractions, the plan had been laid in motion, thus freeing Elizabeth to her own diversions.

So following a week of wooing, after Mary’s speech Mr. Collins gazed at his new favourite with unguarded esteem, and then said, “Mary, you do honour to your family, for I know that you would follow all of the strictures which are designed to protect a virtuous and wholesome gentleman’s daughter.

My noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, could find no fault in your elegant, yet humble dignity, especially in the face of criticism for your family’s failings. ”

Mr. Bennet then said, “It is a good thing that your patroness holds such high standards for people so utterly unrelated to her. That shows a mark of true grace.”

Mrs. Bennet looked as if she was about to open her mouth to say something, but Mr. Bennet’s stern glance caused her to uncharacteristically hold her tongue.

This went far to silence Mr. Collins as well, for Mr. Bennet rarely exerted his despotic influence upon his family, but when he did, he would not be gainsaid.

The meal continued on in relative silence from this point on while Mr. Bennet remained at the table longer than was his usual want.

Elizabeth was glad he lingered, as his presence seemed to be putting an embargo on her mother’s inquiries.

When at last Elizabeth had completed her meal, her father stood and said, “Lizzy, my dear, do your father a favour and join me in my study. I have missed your company and have felt the privation for sensible conversation during your convalescence.”

Elizabeth stood and followed her father from the dining room, and as she left, she heard her mother resume her complaints, “Your father will make a mess of things to be sure.”

Her father closed the door to his study behind them, knowing of eavesdroppers in the household; he was not willing to have this conversation overheard.

He then guided her to the pair of leather chairs at the hearth.

Many hours were spent reading together in similar attitude.

Elizabeth’s father reached over and gently grasped her hand within his.

“Well, Lizzy, how do you fare? I must say, except for having lost some weight and a little pallor, you look your usual self.”

Elizabeth smiled while tenderly squeezing his hand, “Papa, is this why you brought me in here? To ask about which you can see for yourself? You are not one for idle chatter, so as you know I am on the mend, why do you not tell me whatever is causing you distress?”

“Yes, well, I did bring you in here to speak about something other than your restoration to good health, but I wished first to ensure that your recovery was in earnest before proceeding to something unpleasant for us both.” At her confused look, he continued, “My dear, during your illness, your mother relieved your sister, Jane, and took care of you herself for a short time.” At Elizabeth’s look of surprise, he added, “Jane was much fatigued and in need of rest; you know your sister would never leave your side without her mother insisting. Anyway, amid the duration of her time at your side, you progressively became more agitated as your fever rose again. By your mother’s account, she was standing to call for Hill when she heard you begin muttering words that she at first did not comprehend, but then she took in their significance. ”

“Papa, what are you saying? Please, I beg you to get to the point.”